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D 12 Documentation

AKG Acoustics D 12

Cardioid Dynamic Microphone

The D 12 is a Cardioid dynamic microphone. The D12, and its successor the D12E, are arguably the best-known early dynamics dedicated to kick drum and other bass instruments. The D12 is the nominal ancestor of AKG’s popular D112.

The moving-coil cartridge is coupled to a “bass chamber,” a cannister below the cartridge that was connected acoustically via a small tube. Research suggests that dozens of variations of D12 internals exist, however. Early AKG documentation shows a choice of several models:

D 12 - 60Ω output, without transformer

D 12/250 - 250Ω impedance, via transformer

D 12/500 - 500Ω, via transformer

D 12/HI - “high impedance” via transformer

D 12/50-250 - with 3-wire cable

D 12/200 - with 2-wire cable

The mounting post contains a swivel join, facilitating positioning of the capsule head.

The D12 was rebranded by numerous other electronics corporations, including Philips and Echolette.